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Legend

I would also go with the fixed clamp machine.
If you know of any stringer in your area, see if you can watch or even try stringing. If you like it and know you will be stringing for the long haul, your best to get as much machine as you can afford, as it does make the job more enjoyable.

New User

I own the comet.It is a very stable machine with six point mounting system and quality fixed swivel clamps.The lockout system is easy and quick to operate.I have not used the drop weight gamma machine but flying clamps is a big disadvantage.I do not know your budget but the price gap between the two machines is around 150 euros if you include the shipping costs..

Yes.There are many threads in this forum regarding the crank-drop weight debate.If you want to string one or two rackets per month a drop weight is not a bad choice.You get constant pulling(less tension loss than cranks) and there is no need for calibration(cranks need from time to time).Cranks are easier in terms of use i think...

Legend

Ask yourself how many frames a day, a week, a month you are likely to do. Then ask yourself how fast do you need to do 1 frame/week, 2 frames/month. If you say 15 minutes/frame, then go for a crank. If you say I do not care, then you can use a drop weight or a crank. Both of your original choices are OK if you fall into the low volume, no time limit category. The post recommending a crank is an attempt to make the experience easier, but is that what you want? I recommend that you just read the sticky about features that can be had on various machines and make up your own mind after that. 3¢

You need to consider the question in the context of the whole machine. For instance, the vast majority (if not all) crank machines come with fixed clamps. Many drop weight machines have flying clamps. The clamping mechanism, and the quality of the clamps themselves, arguably have greater bearing on the final result than the tension head.

With stringing machines, I do believe that there's a large element of you get what you pay for. There's a reason some machines cost more than others. Some of that might be comfort and convenience, but a significant portion of it is build quality.

Semi-Pro

I have a flying clamp/DW machine and have only been stringing for a few months now. In hindsight, I wish I had gotten fixed clamps at a minimum. And likely a crank. if I had all the time in the world to string, I probably wouldn't care. But I don't. I have work, a family, etc. The DW can be tedious to work with to get to your reference tension. It is a slow process. Granted my technique is not great, so it takes me a bit, but even with that improving, I'm sure I'd be faster on a fixed/crank machine.

Urgh, looks like the Comet is sold out on PP's website. I guess I'll wait for the Challenger X drop weight, then. At least it looks like it has fixed clamps? Not sure what is so innovative about the locking ratchet system and swivel clamp base that it trumpets about.

New User

Urgh, looks like the Comet is sold out on PP's website. I guess I'll wait for the Challenger X drop weight, then. At least it looks like it has fixed clamps? Not sure what is so innovative about the locking ratchet system and swivel clamp base that it trumpets about.

It seems that you are unlucky about the comet. I do not believe it is gonna be available soon.Challenger has fixed clamps,yes.Do not know much about the ratchet system,but hands down,challenger seems the best choice considering the price.If you turn to gamma,double the cost for the same features...

New User

The second hand market is always a good place to start. I bought one on **** and spent a year getting to grips with the process, before buying new. Managed to sell the old one for just as much as I paid for it. It might give you some time to get stringing and wait for the ideal new machine to come to market.

Semi-Pro

The second hand market is always a good place to start. I bought one on **** and spent a year getting to grips with the process, before buying new. Managed to sell the old one for just as much as I paid for it. It might give you some time to get stringing and wait for the ideal new machine to come to market.

New User

I did buy Pro's Pro XP Plus a couple of years ago. The 3 tooth clamps was not good enough, did slip a lot. Ordered the other clamps with 5 tooth from Pro's Pro that worked much better. I am still using them. After the 1 year I upgraded it with a Wise 2086, and that is the best investment I have done. I'm really happy with the machine still, and the combo is awesome. Also easy to get spare parts for everything.

I did not have any good results with the Pro's Pro Crank. Stringing polyesters on a crank ends up loose tension and inconsistent results easily depending on pulling speeds etc. Also it might be so that the crank-mechanism from Pro's Pro was not that good. The gripper on it seemed to not work really good either.

So I agree, go for a drop weight Pro's Pro in front of a crank and add the 5 tooth clamps directly if the 3 tooth are included from the beginning.
Or you can go with Penta Premium Stringer 3600 dropweight which have better clamps from the beginning. Probably they end up on the same price.

Next step in price I would go with a unit including Wise 2086 directly. But if you start with Premium Stringer 3600 or Pro's Pro Challenger as drop weights you can upgrade later on if you feel you want to go electronic.